Sunday, August 9, 2026 | Pastor Rob Vance

1 Samuel 23:15-18

David was close friends with Saul’s son Jonathan.

There’s a difference between friends and friends of the faith. We need both.

We need faithful friends, but we also need to be that faithful Christian friend to others.

Timeline:

1 Samuel 10:1–Saul anointed as king.

1 Samuel 12:13-15–Saul became king. The Israelites asked for a king. They wanted to be like the other nations.

1 Samuel 13:13-14–Saul offered a burnt sacrifice that only the priest was to offer. He disobeyed. And God began to seek another man to serve as king.

1 Samuel 15–Saul disobeyed God’s instructions and was officially rejected as king. This made Saul angry. He continued to fight against God and tried to kill David when he figured out David was anointed as the next king.

Saul’s son Jonathan was loyal to David and a good friend to him. But really, he was faithful to God.

David was in a hard spot, but Jonathan encouraged him with words from a faithful friend: “I will be right next to you,” “Don’t be afraid,” “You’re going to be king.”

Sometimes you just need a Christian friend to be there. You don’t have to have all the answers.

You need a Christian friend who prays for you. You also need to be that praying friend for others.

You need a Christian friend to protect you. And you need to be that friend who protects others.

Proverbs 18:24–There’s a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Hebrews 13:5–Jesus says He will never leave us or forsake us.

John 15:15–Jesus calls us His friends.